He Chose Her, Our Pup Was the Price

I clenched the wolf rune necklace I had chosen with such care, the cool metal still warm from my touch as I stood outside the private room.

Today marked the third anniversary of my bond with Chisel. Before leaving home, I had touched the gentle swell of my belly softly in the mirror, full of hope. He’d said there would be a surprise tonight, that he had invited friends to celebrate with us.

But the moment I pushed open the door, everything shattered.

The room was wide and glowing with light that burned my eyes. Chisel was on one knee on the carpet, a velvet box in his hands, smiling at Sylvia.

Around them our packmates had formed a circle, voices rising with laughter and chants:

“Say yes! Say yes!”

“Kiss her, Chisel! Everyone knows Sylvia’s still in your heart!”

Someone called out with mock concern, “Stop teasing—if Luna Leah sees this, she’ll be furious!”

I froze at the threshold. Inside my head Ruby—my wolf—snarled and clawed, her rage echoing through my veins: How dare he betray us!

But I couldn’t even answer her. I could only see Sylvia lowered her lashes, her voice soft as silk:

“Will you?” she murmured, eyes sweeping tenderly over Chisel as she leaned closer. “Leah’s Luna. Obviously, she won’t mind a little fun…”

The chanting rose again. “Chisel, don’t hesitate! You lost the game—this is your chance; you got to kiss!”

Chisel looked at Sylvia with a warmth I had never seen in his eyes for me. His throat bobbed; the distance between them shrank until it felt irresistible.

Just before their lips met, my voice broke out, trembling with fury and heartbreak:

“What the hell are you doing?”

The room went silent. Every head turned toward me, annoyance flickering in their eyes at the ruined scene.

Someone tried to laugh it off. “Don’t be mad, Luna. It’s just a game. You are always gracious.”

“I see.” My heart felt as though it had been ripped in two, but I forced a brittle smile, pretending composure.

Perhaps the shimmer of tears betrayed me. One by one, Chisel’s friends began making excuses to leave.

“I have somewhere to be. Later.”

“Chisel, happy bond anniversary to you and Luna!”

In moments the room emptied, leaving only the three of us.

Chisel’s brow furrowed, his voice laced with irritation. “Enough, Leah. Stop wearing that wounded look. We were just playing a game. I lost, that’s all. Why are you angry?”

I felt as though the air had been knocked out of me. My hand drifted to my belly, feeling the faint pulse there, grounding myself in the reality I still had.

Sylvia stepped closer, still wearing her innocent smile. “Chisel, don’t be angry.”

She patted his shoulder lightly, never once looking at me, as if I had never existed at all.